By Hannah Martin

Author Malgorzata Oleszkiewicz-Peralba connected the dots between seemingly unrelated cultures when she spoke about her book “The Black Madonna in Latin America and Europe: Tradition and Transformation,” in the Latino/a Center Thursday.

The lecture was one of the final events of Hispanic Heritage Month and was hosted by professor of modern languages Alan West-Duran, along with the Feminist Student Organization and the Latino/a American Student Organization.

Oleszkiewicz-Peralba presented the ideas of her book, published by the University of New Mexico Press in June 2007, with a PowerPoint presentation, which was followed by authentic Hispanic cuisine.

Oleszkiewicz-Peralba, who was born in Poland, said she has extensively studied the cultural icon the Black Madonna, who is similar to the Virgin Mary, and her portrayal across the world – specifically in Brazil, Eastern Europe, Mexico and the Latino U.S., which her book centers upon.

During the author’s presentation, she said the archetype of the divine feminine has presented itself since the beginning of time. She outlined this concept with Black Madonna images found across the globe, drawing symbolic and thematic parallels between images from different times and cultures.

Oleszkiewicz-Peralba said she sees herself as a translator of cultures.

“I hope that people will see that we have more in common than what separates us,” she said. “I’ve had to do it all my life trying to